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Our blogs are updated once a month, usually on the first day of the month. On this page, we offer advice, tips, and insights for becoming a safer driver and for better travels on Chico roads. Bookmark this page and remember to check back!

If you need auto repair service, don’t forget that you can schedule an appointment at this link for D&E Auto Repair in Chico. We look forward to seeing you! Remember that you are a part of the family at D&E Auto Repair in Chico. We’re located at 3328 Esplanade St., Chico, CA 95973.

Best Summertime Road Trip Destinations From Chico

We love living in Chico, and we all have Butte County pride. But in the summertime -- especially this summer -- many of us are itching to travel out of Chico. Home is home, but some of us want to go camping, seek cooler climates, hit the beach, or drive across our beautiful country. Here are some of the best summertime road trip destinations from Chico in 2021.

Sacramento --
Not too far away from Chico is Sacramento’s Old Town by the waterfront. Yeah, it’s a tourist trap, but it’s fun! Now that we get to ease COVID restrictions, there is a lot to do in Sacramento. We love getting a horse-drawn carriage tour to see the sites and soak in the history of the gold rush. If you love fondue and want to treat yourself to something special, visit The Melting Pot in Sacramento, which recently reopened in April.

Truckee --
Want to head into the mountains to cool off a little? Truckee is an adorable town, and the outdoors will be calling you to get out and play. You have many accommodations to choose from, and the restaurants are outstanding. Be sure to visit the Donner Memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum to get a clear understanding of what the Donner Party endured during that extremely harsh winter in 1846. Afterward, you can go hiking, fishing, or boating in the summer sunshine. Then, if you like craft beer and grilled cheese paninis, be sure to check out Donner Creek Brewing right by Donner Lake. 

San Francisco --
During COVID, many people left The City for the suburbs. Still, San Francisco is one of the best places to take in California’s history, great food, unique architecture, and outdoor events. Whether you make it a day trip or a weekend getaway, there is so much to see and do in San Francisco now that everything is reopening. The Embarcadero’s Piers are always a fun place to visit, and we used to love visiting the Musée Mécanique at Pier 45 by Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s an arcade game museum, and kids of all ages get a kick out of these vintage arcade games that are still playable. Be sure to visit Chinatown and North Beach to get some delicious meals. Not only will you feel good about supporting local businesses, but your belly will be very happy too.

Monterey & Big Sur --
It’s about a five-hour drive, but heading to the Central Coast is worth the trip. Monterey Bay is beautiful, and so is the Pacific Coast Highway running through Monterey County. The Monterey Bay Aquarium just reopened in May, but you’ll need to make reservations to get in. If you can’t purchase tickets to the aquarium, you can always rent a bike or go kayaking with rentals from Adventures-By-The-Sea. After spending the day in Monterey, continue your trip south to Big Sur, now that Highway 1 has reopened after the winter rain-induced landslide. The beauty of Big Sur’s 80 miles of coastline is jaw-dropping, but you’ll need to be extra cautious in your driving since you can expect to see tons of tourists joining you on your journey.

Adventures on I-5 --
If you want to plan a more extensive road trip adventure, you can hit the freeway and take the 5 all the way down to the bottom of California or up through Washington State. You’ll find all kinds of small towns and large cities to visit. Our favorites include Portland and Seattle as you head North on I-5, or if you head Southbound, you’ll pass through Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, and even touch the border at Tijuana, Mexico. However, if you plan to enter Canada or Mexico at either end of I-5, be sure to do your homework and make sure the border is open to US Citizens if pandemic restrictions are still in place.

Of course, before you begin your epic summertime road trip from Chico, be sure to get your vehicle inspected by the D&E Auto Repair team. Your safety is our priority, and we’ll be happy to provide you a complete digital visual inspection report to show you what is doing great on your car and what needs attention. If we find any issues that need immediate repair, we’ll inform you so you can make intelligent decisions to help your vehicle last longer and be road-trip-ready.

D&E Auto Repair treats each customer like a member of our family, with honesty, commitment, and fairness. Our team only recommends services that will extend the lifetime of your vehicle and help you avoid costly repairs. You and your vehicle will leave our auto repair shop with a safer and more reliable car. Schedule an appointment today, and we can bring our families together. Our auto repair shop is conveniently located at 3328 Esplanade St., Chico, CA 95973, and we are open Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM.

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